Posted by: Brian R. Kneebone
Technology Consultant, Imaging and Printing Group  

Workgroup devices have become as fast as departmental devices, reaching speeds of 63 ppm.  This has never historically been a consideration with large departmental devices found traditionally in copier rooms or at the end of isles.  While it is fantastic that workgroup devices bring output performance reaching these speeds, the mechanics involved with moving paper this fast in workgroup devices obviously raises auditory concerns for environments where the device is at a user's desk or for certain locations where the ambient noise is quite low.  HP, like other manufacturers, are introducing intelligent features in their products to help give administrators the flexibility to choose settings which suit their user environments best.

In September 2008, HP released new firmware for the HP LaserJet P4015/P4515 Printer Series with a new “HP Adaptive Print Solution” (also known as Quiet Mode) which slightly reduces print speed to bring down sound volume, but in an intelligent way.  It engages the quiet mode for smaller jobs (of which administrators can control the threshold) where the difference in output speed is negligible at best or allows administrators to leave it on for all jobs.

This is a firmware enhancement that was just added to the devices and will require the firmware date-code from September 2008 or later.  Download the firmware for your HP LaserJet P4015 or HP LaserJet P4515 Printer Series now and update with the instructions provided.

When the firmware is updated, the Quiet Mode will be left in its default “OFF” position.  Here are the configuration instructions with screen shot to understand the function:

• QUIET MODE:
• [OFF] – DEFAULT
• [ON]
• [AUTO TRANSITION]
• AUTO TRANSITION: Select a value from 10 to 999 pages.  Quiet mode stays engaged if below this threshold for a given job.  Quiet mode temporarily disengages for larger jobs which exceed this threshold.